Poe hopes SC acts on petitions to stop PUVMP

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe is hoping the Supreme Court (SC) will act on a transport group’s petition to stop the implementation of the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

The senator said she would welcome an extension for PUV operators who failed to apply for consolidation before the Dec. 31, 2023 deadline.

“We also hope the Supreme Court will take cognizance of the petitions of transport groups, which can serve as a valuable guide for the implementation of the modernization program,” Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public services, said.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and its regional offices allowed unconsolidated PUVs, in routes with less than 60 percent consolidated units, to operate until Jan. 31.

Show cause orders will be sent to unconsolidated PUV operators during the period.

If the consolidation requirement of the PUV modernization program is extended, Poe said it would give transport groups and government officials breathing room to work on the measure.

“During this period, we expect the route plans to be also clearer in consultation with the affected groups,” she said.

“We all want a win-win situation that will improve the livelihood of our small drivers and operators and at the same time give our commuters a better ride,” she added.

The SC earlier ordered the Department of Transportation and the LTFRB to comment on the petition filed by transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide.

Groups of jeepney drivers and operators vowed to wage more transport strikes due to the government’s refusal to abandon the modernization program.

Data from the LTFRB showed that around 70,000 PUVs have not consolidated and could have their provisional authority or certificate of public convenience revoked on Jan. 1.